pawsfurbooks

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Books are a love language

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I am consumed by my thoughts and desires

Pouring my heart and soul into every fire

I don't know how to stop or let it be

This obsessive nature is going to be the death of me.

— agelesslibrary

[pawsfurbooks]

We don't need to have just one favorite. We keep adding favorites. Our favorite book is always the book that speaks most directly to us at a particular stage in our lives. And our lives change. We have other favorites that give us what we most need at that particular time. But we never lose the old favorites. They're always with us. We just sort of accumulate them.

Lloyd Alexander

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I’m almost 30 and still don’t understand this platform. But I always like the screen shots I see on Pinterest sooooo 🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️ halp.

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That unlocked a memory I didn’t know I had...

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I have given myself permission to buy books again, but now I don’t want to buy the books. 🤨 I just check stuff out from the library. Oooooooorrrrrr if I’m really impatient (and it’s not too pricey) I’ll buy the kindle version. *shrug* wHy Am I lIkE dIs???

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Going on the TBR

Malmantile Racquistato

The Reconquered Malmantile

This image appeared as the frontispiece to Lorenzo Lippi's posthumously published comic-heroic poem, "Il Malmantile Racquistato." The work was first released in 1676 under the pseudonym "Perlone Zipoli," an anagram of the author's name. The fanciful and linguistically inventive poem tells the story of a valiant poet who aids in the recapture of a fallen kingdom and earns the hand of its rightful queen. Crowned in laurels, the poet appears within the print under a hanging sign bearing the work's title, seated beneath a ledge on which a monkey works a mortar and pestle. This allegorical scene contains references to theater, literature, art, and medicine, while the poem itself contains numerous references to tarot and astrology.

Image credit: Zuccarelli, Francesco. “Malmantile Racquistato.” Laid paper, 1731. Science History Institute. Philadelphia.

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Reposting so I can add to #TBR 😬

The Italian, or The Confessional of the Black Penitents by Ann Radcliffe

This book was supposed to arrive last February but it came in the mail just last week. I want to get my hands on every gothic novel that I can from the Romantic era. This is my first Ann Radcliffe book and I’m so looking forward to it.

I have been reading a lot of short stories and plays lately and I miss committing myself to a novel. Hopefully I’ll be able to get around and pick up the next book on my tbr.

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me @ myself: “It’s 2am and you’re still reading?! Honestly, why are you like this?!”

me @ myself: 

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Pictured: Students protesting. Photography courtesy of the Asian American Federation

APAHM Spotlight: Asian American Federation

As part of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, we’re highlighting some amazing organizations that are positively impacting the community. Asian American Federation is a pan-Asian nonprofit leadership organization that represents and supports a network of 70 Asian American community service organizations in New York. They’re focusing on mental health needs in the Asian American community, as a whole, as it’s been affecting a lot of people in the community. We sat down with Deputy Director Joo Han.

The Asian/Pacific Islander community is not monolithic. What are some common misconceptions about this ethnic group?

The Asian American community comprises 16 ethnic groups (including the Arab community who are included in our research) — that speak over 36 Asian languages.

The model minority myth really obscures the diversity and need in the community. For example, Asians are the poorest racial group in New York City, with 25 percent living in poverty (a rate that grew by 44 percent from 2000 to 2016). The majority, or 70 percent, are immigrants, with 70 percent also having limited English proficiency. If you disaggregate the data, you’ll also see that some Asian groups, like Cambodian, Laotian, and Hmong, have higher status dropout rates (the percent of 16-24 year olds who aren’t enrolled in school and don’t have a high school diploma) than non-Hispanic Whites.

Mental Health is a journey that many of us go through. Unfortunately, many people of color do not have the accessibility for mental health/resources. How is the stigma towards mental health hurtful in the Asian/Pacific Islander community?

Deep cultural stigma is one of the greatest barriers to accessing mental health services in the Asian American community.

A study found that even though a higher percentage of Asian American high school and college students reported experiencing depressive symptoms compared to their White counterparts, Asian Americans are the least likely group to report, seek, and receive medical help for depressive symptoms due to cultural stigma. This stigma stems from the belief that mental healthcare is “only for crazy people” — or the seriously ill — and comes from honor/shame cultures that suppress negative experiences in order to “save face” or not be a burden to others.

Also, Asian Americans, who bear the additional burdens of the model minority myth and imposter syndrome, can further feel they are “weak” or “inadequate” when they struggle with stress, anxiety, depression, and so forth, which may deter them from reaching out for help.

How can we de-stigmatize mental health needs?

One of the best ways that we can de-stigmatize mental health needs is to develop and spread mental health literacy. Part of spreading mental health literacy also comes from sharing our own stories about how mental illness has touched our lives, whether personally or through a family member or friend, so that we can normalize mental healthcare as we would physical healthcare.

Pictured: AAF’s Executive Director Jo-Ann Yoo & New York Council members. Photography courtesy of the Asian American Federation

How can people continue to support the Asian/Pacific Islander community?

Plug into Asian-led, Asian-serving community-based organizations where you live. There is tremendous need for Asian Americans who can commit their time, expertise, and resources to serving the fastest-growing population in the U.S. And really commit—by volunteering to teach a class in something you’re skilled at, joining a board, or offering to hold a fundraiser. By serving the community, you’re actually investing in resources that will uplift you, your family, and the community as a whole.

Thank you for your time, Joo Han. We appreciate all your work with the Asian American Federation. Tumblr, how do you handle your mental health as a person of color? Use the hashtag #APAHM to share your story.

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Found out today my teenage nephew got into a fight at school. Was shocked! This kid is so chill and passive. Come to find out he was sticking up for a friend of his against a well known bully.

First thought, "definitely a Gryffindor."

I ain't even mad, man. I love this kid.

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Dumbledore: *sees Snape's patronus*

Dumbledore: *surprised and moved* After all this time?

Me: Ok Clarice.You became celibate after a traumatic relationship that lasted less than 2 months and you're still not completely over the guy after 98 years. Don't be so shocked.

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Dtf (down to fight)

Slytherin: alright that’s it. I’m going to physically fight the next person that insults my boyfriend.

Hufflepuff: I mean you don’t have to I’m not that great

Slytherin:

Slytherin: alright square up you beautiful peice of shit

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Let's talk about the holidays for someone with anxiety. It's the fucking worst. Family expects you to attend the annual gossip congregation that is The Holiday Party. Everybody seems to be on some sort of crack that makes then talkative, nostalgic, and hyper. Also, they're quicker to anger (Family Drama: A History). Then here is me. Wanting to knit/puzzle and sing along to holiday songs. Enter screaming sister with crying children and just general choas.

That's it. I'm DONE. Ill be in my room hiding. Bye Felisha.

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I'm a Slytherin, my pup is a Gryffindor. I am a proud parent.

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#iamjudgingyousohardrandomperson

WHEN THE PERSON NEXT TO ME ON THE PLANE IS READING 50 SHADES OF GREY

I’m just like: